Cover Image: Juggling

Juggling

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

I always wanted to learn to juggle and this book was just what I needed to motivate me to get started! At first, I felt overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information in this book but the author breaks down each move into smaller moves which are individually attainable. The material in this book is very well presented and illustrated. The book consists of a series of tutorials using different visual aids to help you build skills. Juggling by Thom Wall would make a great gift for anyone who has ever wanted to learn how to juggle. Five stars.

Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

I loved this book by Thom Wall.

It was professionally written and explained very well about how to juggle. The Author really knows what he is talking about. There was a lot of easy to understand explanations of how to juggle with great diagrams too. It also explained about pitfalls and how to stop yourself from making these mistakes.

A book you will use repeatedly for learning how to juggle.

Thanks to Netgalley and Modern Vaudeville Press for the ARC.

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this book. I am not any better at Juggling yet but I learned some really practical tips to fix the errors I currently make from teaching myself how to juggle. Now to practice, practice, practice!

I love that each new trick is shown using multiple different visual aids. The appendices will be super helpful once I can master throwing three balls (alright lets be real, even one ball) the same height and speed each time, and have mastered the basic combos.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Was this review helpful?

I thought juggling was a magical skill that only some people have. It turns out that juggling can be taught, even to me, and this book makes juggling seem possible for anyone interested. I love that each step and movement is broken down with tips along the way for the most common misconceptions that mess people up. Super helpful for a novice like me and would probably also be helpful for someone wanting to improve juggling as a practice.

Was this review helpful?

Juggling is a comprehensive tutorial guide for learning and improving juggling skill. Due out 30th Sept 2020 from Modern Vaudeville Press, and written by Thom Wall, it's 249 pages and will be available in paperback format.

This is an exhaustively documented and logically laid out series of tutorials written by a juggling master who *really* knows what he's talking about. The book starts with an explanation of the diagrams used throughout and moves on step by step from basic 3 ball juggling (including positioning, tossing, catch/scooping, and repetitions) through more complex tricks and variations.

There are good takeaways here from beginning jugglers through profesisonal level. In fact the foreword is written by Matt Hall who is himself a professional and knows a thing or two about the art.

I've always been super clumsy and also have always positively yearned to learn how to juggle. I've never been successful but with the help of this book, I have -almost- managed to juggle three balls in the simplest pattern. (Trust me, this is huge for me). One of the things the author does which is brilliant is to break each and every move into smaller moves which are individually attainable. By learning each individual move and performing them sequentially, the entire rhythm and pattern can be learned.

Five stars. Very well presented. This would make a superlative gift for a juggling learner, or anyone who has ever wanted to learn. For the current climate with lockdowns and everyone learning how to make sourdough bread and all the other quarantine crafts...this would make an awesome alternative.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Was this review helpful?

As far as instruction books go, this one is definitely in my top ten. I’ve always wanted to know how to juggle, and this book is incredibly user-friendly.

For each move, there are a variety of picture styles in order to appeal to and help different learning approaches, and the book moves from beginner skills (complete with moments of “drill-able” steps for working on fundamentals) to more complex juggling arrangements. Included, too, are common mistakes new jugglers make and how to fix them.

Sprinkled throughout the book are helpful and encouraging footnotes and quotes from actual juggling studies. Despite the difference in content (skills vs the science behind them), both aspects of the piece are delivered in the same friendly and cheerful voice that is developed in each section.

While I may never be a juggling master, I did enjoy this book and will likely keep it handy for anytime the urge to learn strikes.

***ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for my review.

Was this review helpful?

Some of us will never be jugglers, and that's OK. I'm one of those people. But what I didn't realize, before I picked up this book, is that having fun with juggling is within anyone and everyone's reach. It doesn't have to be something you take up "seriously." Even with just a tiny bit of experimentation and play with it, it can benefit your body and your mind. Juggling isn't just for boys or men, it isn't just for obsessive hobbyists, and it isn't just for confident people who are comfortable performing in front of other people. These and other misconceptions are all dispelled in Juggling: What It Is and How to Do It. Clear, humorous, and calmly full of infectious passion for the art of playing "catch" with yourself, this book is truly delightful. If learning to juggle seems like a daunting and unappealing prospect, give this book a chance. Then buy it for all your friends!

Was this review helpful?

Great book! Fully illustrated and step by step. Well though out answering the most comment trouble spots. Whether you are a beginner or been juggling for some time, you will find this book a great help to expand your juggling skills.

Was this review helpful?

The most informative book on juggling I have ever read. Juggling’ goes beyond the basics and covers a variety of techniques.

If like me, you struggle to juggle even a single ball, this is not the best book for you.

‘Juggling’ is a great book for anyone who is reasonably coordinated and looking to dive headfirst into the art of juggling.

Was this review helpful?

Have you ever wanted to learn juggling? I did, ever since I saw a juggler handling more than three balls at Covent Garden - ages ago.

I'm not in anyway pretending that I've mastered the art of juggling yet, but Thom Wall's book has given me a boost. He explains the technique in words and with graphs in a way that is easy to follow and easy to copy - even for someone who suddenly has two left hands when you throw them a ball.

You should try it, it's fun.

Was this review helpful?

Every October, our family takes part in History Fest, an utterly magical outdoor historic event where we dress as characters from the past for a week and teach thousands of school children through hands-on fun. One of our friends who also volunteers is known as "Thom the juggler," a mountain of a man who taught himself to juggle for the event and who juggles everything from knives to bowling pins. He has taught my kids how to juggle many times over the years but they are always too busy to pay enough attention and keep at it enough to make it stick. This book is exactly the kind of book you need in the year between History Fest weeks to really learn how to juggle.

The book is very detailed, with over 200 pages to really teach you anything you need to know. Wall uses cartoon illustrations and a number line sort of diagram for most of the illustrations and these weren't the easiest for me to use for learning. I'm not sure what would work better since it's hard to teach something like this in a book though. It's very detailed and offers a lot more than just basic juggling -- variations, how to make your own, what to use, tricks, etc.

It's a great book for people who really want to learn to juggle and do it well.

I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.

Was this review helpful?

This is such a detailed and well laid out book. Everything from the sensitivity to diagram use and presenting in different ways is really thoughtful. Them Wall has done a fabulous job of laying out his ideas and expertise in such a way that with careful reading, one could learn the basics in no time. I have followed a few other juggling books before and never got much further than a basic juggle of 3, but this has the potential to take me to the next steps. I think learning something like juggling from a book is always going to be tricky, so it would be good if there were some accompanying material as well, but this is still a great resource and I look forward to learning more.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you NetGalley for providing me an Advanced Readers Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Disclaimer: I'm not someone who is an avid fan of juggling, I just thought this would be a fun read since its not something that I'd normally pick up.

This book surprised me, I didn't actually expect to like it since like I previously mentioned, I'm not really a big fan of juggling. This was my first encounter with a book like this so I thought it was really interesting. Its not often that you'd get to pick up a book that perfectly shows the level of experience and talent that the author has in his craft. I was able to enjoy this even if I didn't know anything about the world of juggling nor have much interest in it; mostly because Thom is actually someone who knows what they're doing. He explains his strategy quite well and is able to give in depth explanations on almost anything related to the topic.

Was this review helpful?